Track and Field Insider: Eisbenbrown better just 'all right'

By Bill AllmannTimes Sports Correspondent

Wednesday

Apr 24, 2013 at 12:01 AMApr 24, 2013 at 11:49 PM

Ellwood City senior Abbey Eisenbrown had an “all right” day.

All she did was tie the meet record at the Mars Invitational with a pole vault of 10-feet-6 inches in some of the most miserable conditions ever for the event. There were vaulters who chose not to compete because of safety issues.

“It was only an all right day,” said Eisenbrown. “The conditions were terrible, my hands kept getting wet and slipping. I never thought about not competing, though, the pole vault is the only thing I’ve wanted to do.

“I did better yesterday in practice and I really thought I could do 10-9 or 11.”

On Tuesday, the track was dry and the temperatures were probably 20 degrees higher. Still, Eisenbrown didn’t adjust her expectations. She didn’t start her event until most of the other girls had been eliminated.

“I didn’t come in until nine feet, I think there were only eight girls left,” said Eisenbrown. “I want to get to 12 feet this year.”

Eisenbrown has good reason to have high expectations – she has been to the state championships in Shippensburg and intends to go again. Last year she set the Ellwood City school record there with an 11-0 mark.

“I know what the competition is there, I did a personal best there,” Eisenbrown said. “I’m aiming for 12 because I think that will get a medal.”

HECKMAN SETS LOCAL BEST, WINS GOLD

The meet was delayed for an hour and a half because of lightning, but that didn’t bother Freedom senior Brandon “Bubba” Heckman who won a gold medal in the shot put.

“I wasn’t in the first flight so I hadn’t warmed up yet,” said Heckman, whose mark of 46-4 ½ is the best in the area to date. “We had a nice spot under the bleachers to wait it out.

“I really like the circle here, so I was happy to win. I’m getting to where I want to be but I’m not there yet.”

GOOD DAY FOR 3200 RELAYS

New local bests were set for both 3,200 relay teams. On the girls’ side, it was the Moon team that set a new mark at 10:00.00. On the boys’ side, it was West Allegheny with a time of 8:30.72.

HARRIED PACE SLOWED RESULTS

The late start caused the events to be decided based on times, rather than finals. That, plus the late start made team results and individual awards unavailable for press time. Complete results of the meet are available on line at pa.milesplit.com today.

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